. . . Short Of Forgiveness

OPINION - Reader Views

January 10, 2004

My wife and I have tried to raise our children with an understanding of one simple concept: you make choices, and you accept the consequences, good or bad. If poor choices are made, the consequences are unpleasant, and the responsibility is yours alone.

If someone else is harmed by these choices, you must accept the responsibility for your actions, sincerely apologize and ask to be forgiven. Whether you are forgiven or not depends on the level of harm done and/or the sincerity of your apology.

In the case of Pete Rose, Rose made the choice to gamble. He has dealt with the consequences but still considers himself a victim. He has admitted to being guilty of gambling on baseball but has not apologized or asked for forgiveness. Basically, all that he has done is admit that he has been lying for 14 years about his original poor choice.

Saying, "OK, I did it, and I should not have lied about it," does not get us close to forgiveness.